Banks told to keep tax collecting branches open on Mar 29-31

Mumbai: The Reserve Bank has asked banks to keep open their designated tax collecting branches on Good Friday (March 29) and the following weekend to facilitate tax collection.

"In view of the ensuing holidays in several parts of the country and keeping in view the likely rush of taxpayers to deposit taxes in the last week of March, the RBI has directed all the agency banks receiving direct taxes from public to keep the counters of their designated branches collecting taxes open for transactions (full day with extended hours) on Friday, March 29 and on Sunday, March 31 as well as on Saturday, March 30," the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the central bank in a separate statement said in order to meet the probable rush of tax payers, RBI, New Delhi, shall keep its office open between 10 am to 4:30 pm (both for cash & cheques) on March 29, 30 and 31, 2013 with a view to facilitate accounting for government transactions.

Designated branches of agency banks conducting government business in Delhi region will also keep their counters open on March 29, 30 and 31, 2013 for accepting government taxes. Further, the facility for payment of taxes on-line and through select ATMs is also available, it said.

Meanwhile, offices of both income tax as well as of indirect taxes will remain open on March 30 and 31 to facilitate tax collection.